Licking our lips can be an involuntary response to situations. However, that response can bring on results that take time, care and possibly medication to reverse.

Some reasons we lick our lips might be dryness, anxiety or chapped by the weather. Our lips have microscopic glands called glabrous skin. They lack natural lubrication and that makes them prone to dryness. Like other parts of our body, when conditions disturb balance; lip care leads to dry, achy, or cracked lips. This can occur in summer or winter.

As summer begins, let’s think about some lip care recommendations:

• Apply moisturizing lip balm liberally (include corners)
• If outside in summer use lip balm with SPF 30+
• Reapply a hydrating lip product throughout the day
• Exfoliate with a lip scrub 1-2 times a week

Collene de Bellefond in her article, Lip Care Routine 101 recommends a few items to
create your own lip balm at home:

2 Tablespoons of shea butter
4 tablespoons of liquid olive or shea oil
3 tablespoons beeswax pellets
Melt all ingredients in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir together. Keep microwaving and mix until well blended. Pour mixture into tubes or containers. Let it cool.

Sources

www.clevelandclinic.org/bodyandorgans/lipanatomy;February 27, 2026
www.aad.org/How to prevent and treat chapped lips; 7 Dermatology Tips for Healing
www.healthline.com/Lip Care Routine 101/Colleen de Bellefonds; March 18, 2021

Questions:

1) Best choice application products for chapped lips
A. Camphor B. Zinc Oxide C. Lanolin D. Shea Butter

2). True or False? Vermillion is the medical term meaning lip color, reddish orange

Answers

1. B and/or D

2. False, products of metal can irritate sensitive lips

Vonda Jennings RN, BSN, Volunteer